Friends
Man Bao truly believed that her ginger plant was quite unique because she had watched it grow and mature.
She recommended to Miss Fu Er, "Ginger is pungent and slightly warm." It enters the lung, spleen, and stomach meridians. It can induce sweating to release external pathogens, warm the middle to prevent vomiting, warm the lungs to alleviate coughing, and also dispel cold pathogens. Ginger is commonly used in tea. Sister Fu Er, it's time to store autumn grains. Your father must be very busy, so it's important to take care of his health. Buy some ginger to make tea for him.
Miss Fu Er was amused by her and asked, "Do you also understand medicine?"
Man Bao shook her head and said, "I don't understand; I just follow the book."
Miss Fu Er smiled and turned to the maid, "Since Man Bao says her ginger is good, then it must be good." Let's buy it all and take it to the kitchen.
The maid agreed, but instead of taking the basket, she wanted to take Zhou Sirlang to the kitchen.
Man Bao scratched her head and asked, "Can your family eat so much?" Just buy some, and if you find them good, we can deliver fresh ones to you in the future. My family grows a lot of ginger.
Miss Fu Er laughed, "I've only seen sellers hoping buyers will buy more, but it's the first time I've seen a seller advising to buy less."
Man Bao said seriously, "Although we are in business, we won't cheat people." Ginger is only necessary when stewing meat or making tea. If you find it satisfactory, we can offer you fresh ones in the future. My family grows a lot of ginger.
Miss Fu Er didn't know.
But she still decided to buy it all, saying, "If we can't finish it at home, we can give it to others." Let them weigh it in the kitchen. "You stay and talk to me."
Miss Fu Er enjoyed conversing with Man Bao, especially after they became pen pals. Although they were five years apart, she felt she could get along with Man Bao.
Man Bao had fewer prejudices against her, thinking that even though she was the daughter of a county magistrate, she was still very lovely. She also cherished this friendship.
Zhou Sirlang heard Man Bao's offer and went to the kitchen with the maid carrying the basket.
Miss Fu Er didn't want to invite Zhou Xi and the others into the house. Instead, she took Man Bao's hand and led her aside to talk. "My mother took my eldest sister to visit our maternal relatives to celebrate their long lives." There are few people at home, and I don't even have anyone to talk to. It's so boring.
Man Bao asked, "Don't you go to school?"
She felt very busy every day, especially when she was at school. As soon as she woke up, she had to go to school. When she came back, she had to do homework, check on her plants, play, and read. It seemed like there was never enough time, so how could she be bored?
Miss Fu Er said, "My eldest sister is not at home, and it's the busy farming season, so the teacher gave us a break."
Even though the teacher didn't give them a break, she only attended school for half a day. She was very curious about Man Bao's life. In her understanding, girls from rural families couldn't attend school. Even among her friends, few of them could read.
Their family was under the control of their grandmother, and she and her siblings had lived with her during their early years. That's why they were used to having a teacher come to teach them. When they first came to the county, her mother never thought of hiring a teacher for them.
Especially after they started communicating with each other, Miss Fu Er became very interested in Man Bao's life. She felt that there were many things she couldn't say to her mother and elder sister, but she could confide in Man Bao.
Miss Fu Er held Man Bao's hand and asked the maid to step back before inquiring, "Why do you always accompany your family on business trips?" Is your family short of money?
"Yes, my family is short of money," Man Bao said, counting on her fingers. "My family needs to build a house, and my fourth and fifth brothers need to get married." I also want to buy a lot of food, so money is always insufficient. But I can't always come out now. I still need to study. My friend said that I need to study more so that I can advance further and earn more money in the future. Otherwise, even if I am intelligent now, I won't be able to earn much money.
Miss Fu Er laughed and said, "Your friend is quite impressive." "What's her name?"
Man Bao hesitated for a moment and whispered, "I can't tell you her name. She doesn't allow me to speak."
Miss Fu Er nodded in understanding and asked, "Alright, then what books are you currently reading?"
"I'm studying 'The Book of Songs' and 'The Great Learning,' but the teacher focuses less on 'The Great Learning' because we are still young." He mostly teaches us about the history of the previous dynasties and arithmetic. Recently, I have developed a particular fondness for reading "The Biography of the Great Sui Dynasty." "What about you?"
Miss Fu Er looked at Man Bao in surprise and said, "I'm also studying 'The Book of Songs,' but I haven't read 'The Great Learning'…"
She hesitated for a moment and said, "My brothers are studying 'The Great Learning,' but the teacher doesn't seem to intend to teach us."
Man Bao said, "If he doesn't teach, you can read it yourself." If you don't understand, you can ask the teacher. Our teacher emphasized the significance of "The Great Learning." The so-called "Great Learning" refers to the education of adults, focusing on acquiring the wisdom needed to become a sage.
Miss Fu Er suddenly burst into laughter and looked at the serious Man Bao. Tears of laughter suddenly welled up. "But we are women, and we don't need to become sages." Why do we need to study "The Great Learning"?
"Huh?" This time, it was Man Bao's turn to be dumbfounded. She blinked in confusion and asked, "Why can't women become sages?" Our teacher never said that women cannot become sages. The teacher said that to achieve ultimate goodness, one must investigate things, acquire knowledge, be sincere, rectify the mind, cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world. Only when we have learned all of these can we possibly become a person of ultimate goodness. However, the teacher also mentioned that becoming a sage is very challenging, but he never stated that women cannot become sages. The teacher even praised me for being smart, better than Baishan Bao. Hmph.
Miss Fu Er looked at her in a daze and after a while said, "You're right." It seems that no one has ever said that women can't become sages.
Seeing her agree with his point of view, Man Bao became happy and said, "See, you are older than me and know more than me. You can start reading "The Great Learning" now." If you don't understand, you can ask the teacher.
Miss Fu Er smiled and asked, "May I ask you?"
"Of course you can," Man Bao became excited and said, "We are friends, you can ask me, and I can ask you." This is called mutual learning.
Miss Fu Er nodded with a smile and said, "Then you must ask your brothers to send me letters regularly. It doesn't have to be your brothers; anyone from your village can send letters to my house, and I will definitely reply."
Man Bao solemnly agreed.
Miss Fu Er seemed concerned about forgetting and added, "If you have anything delicious or unique in your house, you can send it to my house." "If I like it, I will buy it."
Man Bao felt that her family was very wealthy and nodded with envy, "My wish is to become like you, to spend money as I please."
Miss Fu Er couldn't help but burst into laughter. She pinched her little round face and said with joy, "You are really cute."
Man Bao returned the compliment, "You are also very cute."
"She's such a well-mannered child," thought Man Bao happily.